The hail destroyed tens of hectares of gardens and orchards in a number of localities of Moldova and the people say the work they did in spring was compromised and not much can be saved now. Tatiana Corniencova, mayor of Cunicea village of Florești district, has told IPN that the situation in their settlement is difficult. The strawberry fields were hit the worst. Those who cultivated them are young families that invested money earned abroad in the business. People from 10-15 neighboring villages worked there and these will not have earnings for the family now.

The mayor said it rained for about 20 minutes yesterday. The unaffected strawberries will probably spoil as it continues to rain. The orchards and gardens were also affected. Tomato and bell pepper fields were damaged.

Those who suffered losses come to the mayor’s office after assistance, but the local authorities cannot help them. A commission for exceptional situations assessed the damage. The mayor noted she had a discussion with President Maia Sandu, but didn’t receive promises of aid.

According to the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, the heavy rain with hail in Grădinița village of Căușeni district damaged 40 ha of orchards and 85 ha of field crops, including 45 ha of corn and 40 ha of gooseberry bushes. In Ghindești, there were destroyed 60 ha of sugar beet and 130 ha of sunflower.